Plan and reflect
Plan My Drawing
Before you draw: choose your idea, shapes and colors. After you draw: look back and set a goal.
Thinking sheet · Plan and reflect
Then and Now Drawing
Draw the same thing today and again in a few weeks. Compare them and spot what improved.
- Grades
- 1–5
- Time
- about 20 minutes
- Topic
- Plan and reflect
- Kids practice
- seeing progress, growth mindset, comparing work
What kids do
“Draw it today. Draw it again later. Watch yourself get better!”
- What I drew:
- Then (date: ________)
- Now (date: ________)
- What got better:
- What helped me improve:
How to run it
- Do the first drawing at the start of a unit and keep the sheets.
- Repeat after a few weeks of practice with step-by-step lessons.
- Kids are often amazed. Let them show the class.
Talk about it
- What changed the most?
- Did practicing feel like it was working at the time?
- What will you draw for your next “then and now”?
Take it further
Make a portfolio page with three “then and now” pairs.
Pairs well with
Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.
More thinking sheets
Plan and reflect
Climb the “Yet” Ladder
Name something you can’t do yet, then plan the small steps that get you to the top.
Plan and reflect
Be a Kind Art Critic
Look at a friend’s drawing like a museum critic: describe it, praise it, ask a question and give it a title.
Plan and reflect
My Goal Map
Put a goal in the middle and map out everything that will help you reach it.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.